Which melon ballers are best?
Melon ballers are a fun, simple way to step up your fruit salad platters or encourage the kids to eat their packed lunches. Not only are melon ballers extremely easy to use, they are surprisingly versatile. Most melon ballers can also be used as an ice cream scoop or cookie dough measurer. A melon baller can be used on pretty much any soft food.
A good all-rounder when it comes to making spheres out of your favorite foods is the Oxo Good Grips Melon Baller.
What to know before you buy a melon baller
Size
You’d be surprised how many sizes there are when it comes to melon ballers. The smaller melon ballers are commonly used by professional chefs for creating vegetable pearls or Parisienne carrots. This technique elevates the look of a dish and adds a fun new texture for the customer to enjoy.
By using multiple melon baller sizes, you can elevate your fruit salad and add a visual element that is both appealing and fun. The larger melon ballers are more versatile, as they can be used as an ice cream scoop or for measuring cookie dough.
Scalloped, round or oval
The most common melon baller is the round one, but there are other exciting options. The scalloped-edge melon baller will leave a ribbed pattern that will give your food a shell-like appearance. Oval melon ballers will simply create oval-shaped pieces of fruit.
Although slightly less common, the heart-shaped melon baller is another available option, but the technique needed for this one can be slightly trickier, as you need to get it at the right angle to avoid any heartbreaks.
Materials
Melon ballers are most commonly made from stainless steel and feature a wooden, plastic, silicone or steel handle. The silicone handles provide a better grip if the foods you are trying to shape are slightly harder. The materials you choose for the handle depend entirely on what you plan on using the baller for and how comfortable it feels when using it.
What to look for in a quality melon baller
Double-sided
A double-sided melon baller increases the tool’s value and versatility. Most double-sided melon ballers include a small and large scoop on the same handle. Buying a melon baller with two sides that are different sizes will enable you to step up your dishes without needing more space in your drawers for multiple balling tools.
Sharp edge
A good indicator that your melon baller is of good quality is its ability to slice through the fruit. The scoop does not have a sharpened edge but is made from a very thin piece of stainless steel that can cut into softer foods with ease.
Grip
A softer handle offers a better grip and prevents slippage. With melon ballers made from one solid piece of stainless steel, you want to watch out for edges that may end up digging into the palm of your hand.
Some handles double as a cog and ratchet system. Squeezing the handle triggers the sliding blade within the scoop and dislodges the ball of fruit.
How much you can expect to spend on a melon baller
The price range for a melon baller is roughly $5-$30. The more expensive, the more ergonomically sound it is likely to be.
Melon baller FAQ
Can I use a melon baller for cookie dough?
A. A melon baller is the perfect shape for scooping out perfect measurements of cookie dough so that your cookies are all even and equally shaped. A melon baller can also be used for scooping ice cream.
Why does a melon baller have a hole in it?
A. You may notice that your melon baller has a tiny hole in the center of the scoop. This is to let liquid flow out while you are scooping and avoid an air seal forming. The hole will make it easier to remove the fruit from the scoop.
What’s the best melon baller to buy?
Top melon baller
What you need to know: This double-sided melon baller has a large handle.
What you’ll love: This melon baller features two different-sized scoops, one just over an inch, or 25.4 millimeters, and the other 1.25 inches, or 31.7 millimeters. The smaller scoop is good for removing seeds. The handle has a non-slip grip and will remain grippy even when wet.
What you should consider: The handle is relatively large, which some will struggle with.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top melon baller for the money
Solula 18/8 Stainless Steel Melon Baller
What you need to know: This is an extra-large melon baller.
What you’ll love: This melon baller measures 2.32 inches, or 59 millimeters, and is made entirely of stainless steel. The handle also acts as a trigger for the sliding band in the scoop that encourages the fruit to dislodge itself once shaped.
What you should consider: The scoop must be hand washed.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
What you need to know: This durable melon baller has a cog and ratchet system.
What you’ll love: This melon baller can hold roughly 1-1.5 tablespoons of fruit or cookie dough. It’s made from stainless steel and is dishwasher safe. The mirror-polished element means it is also corrosion and rust-resistant.
What you should consider: The scooper will not remove any seeds.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Lottie Winsor writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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